Casting machine



Nov. 26, 1929. N. H. DENNER CASTING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1928 Patented Nov. 26, 1929 PATENT OFFICE NORMAN H, DENNEB, 01' LAKEWOOD, OHIO CASTING MACHINE Application filed february 24, 1928. Serial No. 256,516.

' My invention relates to improvements in casting machines and more particularly to an improved centrifugal casting machine.

An object of my invention is to provide .a

6 machine for the casting of intricate objects,

having fine details.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine for casting objects out of precious and semi-precious metal, wherein loss of metal is prevented.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device in which hot molds may be easily and quickly removed from the machine.

Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the class described which requires 'no adjustment and in which various wearing parts may be easily and readily replaced.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the class described wherein the operator is at no time subject to the heat necessary to put the metal into a molten state.

Another object of my deviceis to provide a centrifugal casting machine wherein the mold is automatically clamped with the re-- lease therefor at an end most remote from the *mold to prevent the release from becoming unduly heated. so Another object of my invention is to provide a machine of the'class described which will not be afiected by sudden strains due to quick starting.

Another object of my invention is to provide a centrifugal casting machine wherein the force used to cast is definite and may be duplicated each time the machine is operated.

These and other objects will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment wherein:

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are side, front and alternate side views, respectively, of the device of my invention rotated to a vertical position, and

with a mold held therein; I

Fig. 4 is a front view like that of Fig. 2 with the device rotated counter-clockwise, through an angle of 90, with the mold removed. Fig. 5 is a rear elevational view of the device of my invention rotated through an angle of 180;

Fig. 6 is a vertical medial sectional view of a mold showing the mold cavity and associated parts; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical medial sectional view of a a crucible used in my invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like reference characters, at 1, I show an attaching socket chuck, having a screw 2 extending through a threaded aperture 3 into a bore 4 running longitudinally through the axis of the chuck, which is adaptedv to be fastened on to the shaft 5 of an electric motor 6 or the like.

Fastened to the end of the chuck. by a screw 7 and suitable washers S and 9, is a channel shaped frame 10. The free end 12 is adapted to receive thereon a counter-balancing weight 13, held securely by a screw 14, passed through an aperture in the frame, and-screwed into the weight 13. g

The other end of the frame terminates in two angularly disposed walls 16 and 17 disposed at to each other, the wall 16 being i a continuation of the, bottom of the channel frame and the wall 17 being in continuation of the side 11 of the channel frame. The wall 16 is provided with a substantially arcuate portion 18 having a tapered flange in prolongaac tion of the flange 11. A substantially square plate 20, having two adjacent edges secured to thewalls 16 and 17-, is disposed intermediate the ends of the walls 16 and 17 and has an aperture 21 therein. a5

At 23 I show a small box-shaped gate, pivotally held by a pin 22 journalled in the walls 11 and 11 of the channel frame adjacent the chuck, and which is adapted to engage one end 52 of a crucible 25. A recess is as provided at 24: which is engagedby a projection on the wall 17, and locks the gate against rotation. The reduced end 26 of the crucible projects through the aperture 21 and is held in place by the pivoted gate. a Embracing angular walls 16 and 17 is a substantially channel shaped slidable member 28 having the one side 27 thereof cut away as shown at128 to provide an arm 29 which engages the wall 11' of the channel frame. we

smaller than the other, and of generally rec= fangular shape, extends at right angles thereto. The free edge of the side 27 is bent back upon itself at 31 to provide a channel enga mg the wall 17 and the wall 30 is bent inwardly at 32 to form a channel which embraces the wall 16. A prolongation of the wall. 27 is bent inwardly at 34 to provide an end wall forthe member which has a plurality of lugs 34' extending inwardly, and is held secure in that position by a lug 35 passing through an aperture in the wall 30. The two portions of the device described cooperate to form a longitudinally telescopic box having two adjacent sides open and the remaining sides closed. The end walls are preferably lined with a heat-resisting substance shown as at 36 and 37.

Intermediate the counter-balancin weight and the screw 7 is a substantially ishaped lever 39 having a pair of parallel sides, pivoted to the channel walls 11' by a pivot 38 running transversely across the channel.

At 40, I have shown a connecting link which isattached to the lever 39 at 41 by a pin, running transversely across the lever 39. The opposite end of the link is connected to the arm 29 at 42.

When it is desired to place a mold within the device of my invention, the release lever 39 is grasped by the thumb or finger at 43 and rotated through an arc towards the gate 23. This causes the link 40, by an eccentric motion, to force the slidable member 28 outwardly by means of its telescoping relation with the member 15, which causes the distance between the walls or jambs 20 and 34 to increase. The lever 39 is held to a normal position,'wherein the walls 20 and 34 are closest together and wherein the end of the lever bears against the counter-balance 13, by a helical spring 44 ositioned around the pin 38, having an end bearing against the lever at 45 and the other end disposed in the channel frame at 46.

Although I have shown and described a spring as means to hold the lever '39 in a clamping position, I also contemplate elimmating the spring; in which case, the side of the lever 39 adjacent the channel 11 may be provided with a projection similar to that on the wall 17 which may engage a recess, similar' to that at- 24, in the channel wall 11, and which restrains the lever 39 against pivoted movement. This may be considered an advantage as when the device is in open position it is not necessary to hold the lever 39 to keep the end walls 34 and 20 in their non-clamping relation.

A mold flask, which may comprise substantially cylindrical side walls 47, and havmg therein a heat resisting cement in which is formed the configuration of the article to be molded, connected by a sprue hole 49 with reache end walls to contract and hold the mold firmly I therein. A portion of metal, such as 51 is placed in the crucible 25 and heated by a lowpi or the like. When the metal has the molten state and it is desired to make*the casting, the device is rotated in a preferably counter-clockwise direction by starting the motor 6. The molten metal is forcibly thrown into the mold by centrifugal force and the device is kept rotating sufliciently long. for the metal to harden.

The device-of my invention is especially adapted for the casting of intricate objects having extremely fine details and the pressure with which the metal is thrown into the cavity is such that the most exact contours are followed.

The position of the operating lever for releasing the mold, being disposed-at a point most remote from where the heat is applied, tends to keep the same cool so that the operator is not endangered by burning when operating the lever.

The shape of the channel formed by the elements 15 and 28 into which the mold is placed, is such that the hot mold may be dropped in, and when the clamp is released, it Wlll automatically take the position desired prior to the whirling operation, thus eliminating a complicated adjustment. With the exception of the chuck and the counterbalancing weight, the device may be entirely stamped from sheet metal, and is constructed so that all working parts may be easily and quickly replaced. The-channel shaped constructlon substantially strengthens the device so that all danger of bending or distortion is obviated. v

Havin thus described my invention in a preferreg embodiment, I am aware that numerous and extensive departures may be made from the embodiment herein illustrated and described but without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a bar, means adapted for securing said bar intermediate its ends to a motor shaft, said bar comprising on one of its arms, longitudinally spaced substantially radially disposed frame portions, and having an oppositely extended weighted arm, a crucible disposed inv the inner of said portions, a flask in the outer of said portions, means to retain the crucible on the inner portiontof the bar, and a pair of 'aws for removably clamping the flask on the ar ortion, and means operable from a point on t e weighted end of the bar for operating said jaws. 1

2. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a bar, means adapted for securing said bar intermediate its ends to a motor shaft, said bar comprising on one of its arms, longitudinally spaced substantially radially disposed frame portions, and having an oppositely extended weighted arm, a-crucible disposed in the inner of said portions, a flask in the outer of said portions, means to retain the crucible on the inner portion of the bar and a pair of 'aws for removably clamping the flask on the ar portion, and means operable from a point on the weighted end of the bar for operating said jaws, said jaw operating means comprising a pivoted lever and a link pivotally secured thereto and engaging, at its other end, the outer of said pair of jaws and adapted upon reciprocation of the lever to reciprocate said outer jaw relative to said bar, said inner jaw being carriedon said bar.

3. A centrifugal casting machine compris-' ing a bar, means adapted for securing said bar intermediate its ends to a motor shaft, said bar comprising on one of its arms, longitudinally spaced substantially radially disposed frame portions, and having an oppositely extended weighted arm, a crucible disposed in the inner of said portions, a flask in the'outer of said portions, means to retain the crucible on the inner portion of the bar and a pair of jaws for removably clamping the flask on the bar portion, and means operable from a point on the weighted end of the bar for operating said jaws, said jaw operating means comprising a pivoted lever and a link pivotally secured thereto and engaging, at its other end, the outer of said pair of jaws and adapted upon reciprocation of the lever to reciprocate said outer jaw relative to said bar, said inner jaw being carried on said bar, said inner jaw having a central perforation, said crucible and said flask presenting opposing open ends to each other through said perforation.

4:. A centrifugal castin machine comprising a bar, means adapted for securing said bar intermediate its ends to,a motor shaft,

said bar comprising on one of its arms, longitudinally spaced substantiall radially disposed, frame portions, and l iaving an oppositely extended weighted arm, a crucible disposed in the inner of said portions, a flask in the outer of said portions, means to retain the crucible on the inner portion of the har and a pair of jaws for removably clamping the flask on the bar portion, and means operable from a point on the weighted end of the bar for operating said jaws, said jaws operating means comprising a pivoted lever and a link pivotally secured thereto and engaging,

at its other end, the other of said pair of jaws and adapted upon recipro ation of the lever to reciprocate said outer jaw relative to said bar, said inner jaw being carried on said bar, said inner jaw having a central perforation, said cruciblev and said flask presenting opposing open ends to each other through said perforation, and means for removably securing said crucible comprising an arm pivoted atone end to the bar adjacent its intermediate portion, and latch means for retaining the pivoted arm in crucible securing position.

5. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a bar, means adapted for securing said bar intermediate itsends to a motor shaft, said-bar comprising on one of its arms, longitudinally spaced substantially radially disposed frame portions,and having an oppositely extended weightedarm, a crucible disposed in the inner of said portions, a flask in the outer of said portions, means to retain the crucible on the inner portion of the bar and a pair of jaws for removably clamping the flask-on the bar portion, and means operable from a point on the weighted end of the bar for operating said jaws, said jaw operating means comprising a pivoted lever and a link pivotally secured thereto and engaging, at its other end, the outer of said pair of jaws and-adapted upon reciprocation of the lever to reciprocate said outer jaw relative to said bar, said inner jaw being carried on said bar, said inner jaw having a central perforation, said crucible and said flask presenting opposing open ends to each other through saidperforation, said bar being generally of channel form, said outer jaw comprising a rearwardly extending arm slidably secured on said bar, said link' making to a rotatable shaft intermediate its ends,

weighted at one end and adapted to hold a crucible and a casting flask in longitudinal alignment at its other end, and a lever actuated clamp adapted to removably secure said flask on the bar.

I 7. A centrifugal casting machine comprising a transverse bar adapted to be secured to a rotatable shaft intermediate its ends, Weighted at one end and adapted to hold a crucible and a casting flask in longitudinal alignment at its other end, and a lever actuated clamp adapted to removably secure said fla sk on the bar, and separate means adapted to removably secure the crucible.

8. A c entrifugal casting machine comprising an elongated body member adapted to be secured transversely upon a rotatable shaft intermediate the ends of the body member, a weight on'the body member at one side of the rotational axis, means for holding aficrucible and a casting flask on the body member in longitudinal alignment thereon on the'other side of the rotational axis, and lever actuated means for givingtto the flask and crucible relative movement longitudinally of the body member to move them to each other.

9. A centrifugal casting machine comprising an elongated body member adapted to be secured transversely upon a rotatable shaft intermediate the ends of the body member, a weight on the body member at one side of the rotational axis, means for supporting a crucible and a casting flask on the body member in longitudinal alignment thereon on the other side of the rotational axis, and lever actuated means for moving the flask on the body member and removably securing it thereon, and a lever handle therefor on the opposite side of the rotational axis from the flask and crucible.

10. A centrifugal casting machine comprising an elongated body member adapted to e secured transversely upon a rotatable shaft intermediate the ends of the body member, a weight on the body member at one side of the rotational axis, means for supporting a crucible and a casting flask on the body member inlongitudinal alignment thereon on the other side of the rotational axis, a lever actuated clamp for removably securing the flask on the body member, and a handle for the lever, the lever handle being located on the bar at a sulficient distance from the flask and crucible to permit the heat of the latter to be radiated away before reaching the handle and thereby preventing the lever handle from becoming hot enough-to injure an operator by burnin 11. 51 a centrifugal casting machine, an elongated body member adapted to be secured transversely upon a rotatable shaft intermediate the ends of the body member, means into casting proximity for removably holding a crucible and means for removably holding a flask on the body member in longitudinal alignment with each other at one side of the rotational axis, said flask holding means comprising a movable jaw, a lever for movin the jaw, and connecting elements between the lever and the jaw.

12. In a centrifugal casting machine, an elongated body member adapted to be secured transversely upon a rotatable shaft intermediate the ends of the body member, means for removably holding a crucible and means for removably holding a flask on the body member in longitudinal alignment with each other at one side of the rotational axis, said flask holding means comprising a movable jaw, a lever and a toggle link connecting the lever and jaw and adapted to move the aw n the jaw closing direction and to lock it in closed position.

13. In a centrifugal casting machine, an elongated body member adapted to be secured transversely upon a rotatable shaft intermediate the ends of the body member, crucible holding means and flask holding means on the body member in longitudinal alignment thereon at one side of the rotational axis, into which the flask may be dropped, the chamber having a two part telescopic floor and end walls relatively movable toward and from each other, and operable means to forcibly move the walls'relatively to clamp therebetween a flask supported on the floor.

1 f. In a centrifugal casting machine, an

elongated body member adapted to be se-.

adapted to be moved toward the abutm wit and to engage a flask and hold it adjacent to the abutment on the other side thereof.

15. In a centrifugal casting machine, an

elongated body member adapted to be secured transversely upon a. rotatable shaft intermediate the ends of the body member, means for holding a crucible and flask in longitudinal alignment on the body member at one side of the rotational axis, said means comprising a transverse abutment on the body member, a clamp for engaging a crucible and holding it adjacent 'to the abutment on one side thereof, and a movable jaw adapted to be moved toward the abutment and to engage a flask and hold it adjacent to the abutment on the other side thereof, and means for moving the jaw comprising a lever and a toggle link connecting the lever with the jaw.

16. In a centrifugal casting machine, an elongated body member adapted to be secured transversely upon arotatable shaft intermediate the ends of the body member, means for holding a crucible and flask in longitudinal alignment on the body member at one side of the rotational axis, said means comprising a transverse abutment on the-body member, a clamp for engaging a crucible and holding it adjacent to the abutment onone side thereof, and a movable jaw adapted to be moved toward the abutment and to engage a flask and hold it adjacent to the other side thereof, and means for moving the jaw comprising a lever, a spring adapted to normally hold the lever in flask holding position, and a toggle link connecting the jaw and lever whereby the jaw may be moved and locked in jaw holding position.

17 A centrifugal casting machine comprising an elongated body member adapted to be secured transversely upon a rotational shaft intermediate the ends of the body mem her, the body member being weighted on one side of the rotational axis, means for holding a crucible and a casting flask on the'body member in longitudinal alignment thereon on the other side of the rotational axis, and

hand actuated means for giving to the flask and crucible relative movement longitudinally of the body member to move them into casting proximity to each other and a handle for said means located on the bar on the opposite side of said axis from said crucible and flask and at a sufiicient distance therefrom to permit the heat of the latterto be radiated away before reaching the handle and thereby preventing the handle from becoming hot, enough to injure an operator by burning.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature this 21 day of Februa 1928.

' NORMAN H. ENNER. 

